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Phoenix Suns Rankings: Which Western Playoff Team To Root For?

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) reacts alongside Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker at US Airways Center. The Warriors defeated the Suns 98-80. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) reacts alongside Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker at US Airways Center. The Warriors defeated the Suns 98-80. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 8, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrates his three point basket against the Phoenix Suns during final minute of second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Dallas Mavericks

Some Suns fans think of the Dallas Mavericks as a rival, some don’t mind them as much. Dirk Nowitzki used to piss off quite a few Suns fans back in his heyday, but he and the Mavs were always the little brother to the main enemy, San Antonio.

That’s not to say there’s no reason for disliking this team as a Suns supporter, however. In the 2005-06 season, when Nash won his second MVP Award, the Suns were once again bounced from the Western Conference Finals, only this time it was Nowitzki and company doing the bouncing.

Phoenix had won 54 games that season and had to watch the Mavs choke away the NBA Finals to the Miami Heat after building a 2-0 lead. There’s no way of knowing what would’ve happened had the Suns replaced Dallas in the Finals, but that makes it even more tantalizing to think about.

The Suns have only met the Mavericks in two playoff series all-time, splitting them 1-1. The Mavs are relatively harmless in their history with the Suns, but the reason they’re ranked so early in our list is with a season-ending injury to Chandler Parsons, not to mention the Rajon Rondo melodrama, it’s highly unlikely they overcome their current 2-0 deficit to the Houston Rockets.

Bearing that in mind, it’s hard to jump on a bandwagon cheering for a banged up Monta Ellis and hobbled Dirk Nowitzki. Head coach Rick Carlisle may look like Jim Carrey, but he’s not bringing joy to any Suns fans’ TV screens anytime soon. Your bandwagon allegiance could do better.

Next: No. 6

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